ABOUT US
Lantern Therapy Services is a team of knowledgeable and compassionate counselors and therapists who are ready to meet you where you are on your journey. With our original location in Crystal Lake and our newest location in Rockford, our team team is ready to treat a wide range of clinical areas for all age ranges.
The mission of Lantern Therapy Services is to meet clients wherever they are on their journey in a compassionate and non-judgmental environment. The goal is to act as the lantern on the client’s journey. Clients are treated with dignity and are empowered to find the inner strength to create meaning in their situations so that they can make positive changes for themselves.
Crisy M. Gowan | Yessenia Mejia | Lindsey Choklad | Sreeka Bharani | Kevin Thomas | Latavia Elmore | Theresa Harris | Alexandria (AJ) Hummel
Brianna Delgado | Michael Young | Krystal Abalos | Monica Norman | Abby Gleason
Crisy M. Gowan, LCPC/CRC
CRYSTAL LAKE & ROCKFORD
Crisy M. Gowan LCPC/CRC is the founder of Lantern Therapy Services, LTD. Crisy graduated with a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Northern Illinois University in 2007. Crisy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Crisy’s Clinical experience includes working in community mental health, SASS, residential, private practice, workman’s comp, and high school transitional programming. Crisy has been successfully working with adults and children for many years. Crisy specializes in working with a variety of areas including: children, trauma, borderline personality disorder, issues related to disability, mental illness, and workforce struggles. Crisy’s integrative approach to counseling utilizes various treatment approaches including : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy, and an emphasis Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and she is a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA.
Yessenia Mejia, LPC
CRYSTAL LAKE
Yessenia Mejia is a graduate of DePaul University with an MEd in Counseling. Yessenia has a background in working at schools within special services and with schools to be able to provide additional support for her clients. She has worked in an inpatient setting working with children and adolescents ranging between the ages of 4-17 while focusing on crisis management. She is very passionate about assisting students succeed in college and has worked for Northwestern University and DePaul University.
Yessenia uses CBT in combination with mindfulness and relational psychotherapy when she works with clients. She has been able to empathize and practice a variety of approaches with individuals ranging in ability. She works from an identity conscious framework, which allows her to individualize interventions with multicultural sensitivity and honoring the client’s identities.
Lindsey Choklad, LSW/CADC
CRYSTAL LAKE
Lindsey Choklad is a licensed therapist who strives to meet each person where they are. Her experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings has led her to believe that everyone is unique and deserves a treatment plan that is tailored to their needs.
Lindsey earned her graduate degree from Aurora University with a Master’s in Social Work and specializes in substance use disorders, trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and works with both adolescents and adults with co-occurring disorders.
She is passionate about working with people in the LGBTQ+ community, as she is a member of the community as well. Lindsey’s hope is that you find this space to feel safe, accepted and validated.
Most importantly, Lindsey understands that life is complex and reaching out for help is hard. Which is why she leads with compassion and wants nothing more than to guide you on your healing path."
Sreeka Bharani, LPC/CRC
Rockford
Sreeka Bharani is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) in the state of Illinois and joined Lantern Therapy services in 2021. Sreeka earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Services, A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Sreeka provides counseling services related to disability, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Sreeka provides an empathetic person-centered approach when providing services to children, adolescents, and adults. Along with the CRC licence, Sreeka has experience and a specialty working with individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Sreeka also gained experience with trauma counseling through her internship at Lantern Therapy and the Family Peace Center of Rockford. Sreeka has a personal connection and experience working with the LGBTQIA population and those seeking trauma counseling. Sreeka uses a personalized counseling approach but most often utilizes cognitive-behavior, reality therapy, and person-centered therapeutic techniques.
Micheal Young, QMHP
CRYSTAL LAKE
Michael graduated with a Masters Degree in Counseling and Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College in KY and has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. Michael has worked in the mental health field since 1999. Michael’s clinical experience includes working in community mental health with adults and adolescents. Mike offers his best clinical work to those who are 16 years and older.
Michael specializes in working with a variety of struggles including: Aspergers, trauma, and mental illness. Michael’s integrative approach to counseling utilizes various treatment approaches including : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and therapy that utilizes art at the root of one’s healing.
When not meeting with clients Michael is often found honing his art skills in order to develop ways to help his clients cope with day to day stressors. Michael focuses on different art modalities to help clients heal such as painting, drawing, printmaking, and wood working.
Kevin Thomas, LPC
CRYSTAL LAKE & ROCKFORD
Kevin’s approach with clients involves being fully present with them in a manner that honors who they are no matter where they have been in their life. It is such a gift to be able to be present with someone as they continue to grow the true definition of themselves. As a counselor, Kevin has worked with clients who struggle with depression, marital and family issues, criminal behavior, and PTSD. Kevin enjoys working with all ages and looks forward to forming new therapeutic relationships.
Latavia Elmore, LCSW
CRYSTAL LAKE & ROCKFORD
Latavia Agada is a licensed clinical social worker at the Rockford Lantern Therapy Services location, who is dedicated to assisting people in realizing their potential and achieving their goals. She is a big believer in people's ability to persevere and overcome life's challenges and sits with her clients as an interactive listener and a source of support.
Latavia is licensed in the state of Illinois and holds bachelors' in sociology/anthropology and Russian from Swarthmore College and a master's in clinical social work from the University of Chicago. She is currently a PhD student in international psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in trauma. Latavia worked for a variety of non-profit organizations that served troubled children and teenagers, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and people who were in crisis or who have struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma, and mental illness. Latavia uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) solution-focused therapy, the Grief Recovery Method and mindfulness amongst other therapy modalities and techniques to help people on their journey towards wholeness.
Theresa Harris, QMHP
CRYSTAL LAKE
Theresa S. Harris graduated with a Masters Degree in Education with a focus on School Counseling from the University of Iowa in 2004. She has a background working within the public school system serving the counseling needs of both the students and fellow educators. She has experience working with individuals with ODD, LD, OCD and Executive Functioning needs. She is passionate about identifying strengths and solutions that move her clients forward with success. She believes in the power of transformation through perseverance and developing self-efficacy to face life challenges.
Theresa also has worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, generational trauma, mental health crisis, suicidal ideation and those working to embrace their gender and/or sexual identity. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT) are utilized as well as play therapy, bibliotherapy and arts-oriented therapy based on best fit for clients needs.
In her free time, Theresa enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting and other fiber arts. She is an avid theatre fan and has a deep appreciation for all forms of musical expression.
Monica Norman, CADC,QMHP
Rockford
Monica Norman is a clinical therapist who has a thriving interest in helping
people reach their health and healing goals. She received her Master’s Degree in
Human Services in Counseling and her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavioral
Science, both from National- Louis University. She has years of experience with
those with co-occurring disorders. She has worked with teens and adults who
experience substance abuse disorders and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug
Counselor (CADC).
Monica is a straight-forward, pragmatic therapist who treats clients as equals,
taking their concerns into account throughout the therapy process. At the same
time, she provides a warm, safe space in which clients can feel supported and
accepted throughout the process of growth and change. While she ultimately holds
clients accountable for the change they seek, she sees herself as both a provider of
information and a secure base from which clients can explore new ways of moving
through the world.
She utilizes various treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT), and Motivational Interviewing.
Alexandria (AJ) Hummel, LCSW
Crystal Lake
Alexandria (AJ) Hummel is a Licensed Social Worker who earned her Masters in Social Work from California State University of Northridge in 2019. AJ has experience working with children, teens, and their family’s with a large spectrum of mental health concerns and needs. AJ recently worked as a member of Community Support Team which specialized in crisis intervention, case management, and therapeutic services to high risk clients and their family’s.
AJ enjoys meeting clients and their family’s where they are at and tailors their therapeutic experience around their needs and strengths. AJ works towards assisting her clients in growing natural supports in their life, whether that be family, friends, school staff, etc. while introducing other outside resources as needed. AJ has experience in using multiple therapeutic approaches such DBT, CBT, trauma informed care, psych-education, and game play, through strengths-based and client centered care.
William Weddle, LPC
Rockford
My name is William Weddle Jr, I am 30 years of age. My pronouns are he/him. I identify as an African American male. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. I have a total of 7 years in the mental health field. I have worked in a variety of setting such as residential with adults and adolescents as well as with the geriatric community in a nurse home setting. Graduated from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale with a bachelor’s in psychology. Received my master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Roosevelt University in Chicago Illinois in 2021. I have been a licensed therapist for more than 6 months through the state of Illinois and is also recognized as a National Certified Counselor. I enjoy helping individual explore their true potential and providing them the encouragement and drive to cope with their stressors. My style of therapy is being energetic and being the most authentic as well genuine self. My hobbies consist of playing video games and spending time with family. I am a firm believer that anybody can change as long they have the tools and motivation to make it happen. I utilize an eclectic style of therapy that pertains to needs of the client ranging from a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a Person-Centered approach within the therapeutic environment and amongst other therapeutic approaches.
Brianna Delgado, QMHP, MA,CADC
Rockford & Crystal Lake
Brianna Delgado is a clinical therapist with experience with those with co-occuring disorders. Brianna has her Master of Arts in Addictions Counseling and has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Criminology. Brianna has worked in a residential setting with clients with various diagnoses. By understanding co-occurring disorders, Brianna creates individual treatment plans to ensure the progress of every client. She also is Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC).
Brianna uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) while working with clients so that they can problem solve and cope with previous and current trauma. She is extremely passionate in helping her clients with mood regulation, changes of behavioral patterns, as well as altering cognitive distortions to solve current problems and live enjoyable lives.
Krystal Abalos, LPC
Crystal Lake
Krystal has recently graduated from Concordia University with her Master’s of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. She completed her internship at an organization focused on domestic violence. Krystal’s therapeutic counseling focused on treating women and children who experienced depression, anxiety, and other related traumas. She utilizes an eclectic approach consisting of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Client Centered Therapy among others.
Krystal has spent the last 8 years working with adolescents and young adults with disabilities. She has taught her students independent skills, mainly in the vocational area. Krystal is very compassionate towards those with disabilities but also works with her students from the perspective of making tasks, ideas, and concepts fit into their world.
In her free time, Krystal enjoys hanging out at home with her family. She loves music and considers it her happy place. Krystal enjoys reading books and relaxing.
Abby Gleason, LSW
Crystal Lake
Abby Gleason (she/they) is a Licensed Social Worker with experience in providing person-centered therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults living with mental health disorders. She received a BA in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and graduated with her MSW from George Williams College of Aurora University. Abby is passionate about serving marginalized communities, especially the LGBTQIA+ community as a queer, non-binary woman herself. Their practice is centered around ideas of radical self-love and the belief that we all deserve to take up space in a world that doesn’t always want us to.
Abby is experienced in working with people living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma, and disordered eating, among other diagnoses. They integrate therapeutic approaches from CBT, DBT, and positive psychology to help provide a client with the tools to achieve their goals and live as their unapologetic selves. In her free time, Abby loves to play Dungeons & Dragons, video games, read, watch Star Wars, and cuddle with her dog.